Display panel frame work



H. AlN v3,360,136

2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 26, 1967 `DISPLAY PANEL FRAME WORK Filed Jar;A

Dec. 26, 1967 Filed Jan. 5, 1966 H. AIN 3,360,136

DISPLAY PANEL FRAME lWORK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

#EPEE/Q7? i//V Unted States Patent O ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An assembly comprised of upper and lower horizontal tracks along which a series of vertically positioned, rectangular frames are slidable, each frame having a central panel for displaying articles such as plywood panels, carpeting, fabrics, posters, pictures or other generally large, at objects.

This invention relates to a display panel frame structure.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a plurality of vertical panel frame units, each roller supported on a horizontal track mounted on a wall or building structrue element so as to be laterally movable with relation thereto, and to each other, the panel framesl being adapted to have placed thereon for display purposes articles that lie flat such as pre-nished plywood, carpeting, fabrics, posters, pictures or any other display product.

Another object of this invention relates to providing the panel frames in the roller carrying portions to which the panel frames are hingedly attached for outward swinging movement either along a horizontal or vertical axis.

Still another object of this invention relates to coordinating two pairs of panel frame units with each unit supporting a panel, wherein in one pair the panels of the unit swing open each about a vertical axis to lie in opposed parallel relation, the pair of panels of the other unit swinging open each about -a horizontal axis to lie in opposed parallel relation, the pairs of panels being so related as to have their side edges juxtaposed to form a four walled box-like enclosure, open at its front and closed at its rear by a single panel.

A further object of this invention is to include in a frame unit a movable frame element operated by a rack and pinion means operable should a panel mounted on the frame unit be warped to 'straighten the panel.

Further objects ofthe invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specic construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of one form of the invention showing a pair of panel units.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one panel unit taken on line 2 2, FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is a horizontal sectional view of the pair of panel units taken on line 3 3, FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 shows a plural track arrangement for supporting two pairs of panel units.

FIGURE 5 shows an element of a panel frame unit operated by a rack and pinion arrangement for the purpose .of straightening a warped panel.

FIGURE 6 shows a modified form of track and roller support for a panel frame unit.

FIGURE 7 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a modilied form of panel unit roller supported on tracks 3,360,136 Patented Dec. 26, 1967 having two separate panels each swingable about a horizontal pivot axis.

FIGURE 8 shows a fragmentary perspective view of a modified form of panel unit roller supported on tracks, having a single panel swingable about a vertical axis.

FIGURE 9 is an exploded perspective view of a panel, and the panel units of FIGURES 7 and 8 in open position as related to form a box-like or room enclosure.

FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of the enclosure as formed by the panel and panel units of FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 11 is an exploded view showing in section, details of a modified form of roller and track assembly.

Referring to the drawings in detail, a pair of panel frame units 10, 12, see FIGURE 1, are each formed of a rectangular frame having vertical side bars 13, 14 and horizontal side bars 15, 16 rigidly secured together at their adjacent ends in any suitable manner as by screws 17 to provide the two frame units 10, 12. Mounted on the rear side of the upper horizontal side bar 15 of each frame unit, is a horizontal row of rollers 18, each roller 18 being supported on a stub axle 19 rigidly attached to the side bar 15 by screw or bolt 20. A similar horizontal row of rollers 18a are mounted on the rear side of the lower horizontal side bar 16, each roller 18a being supported on a stub axle 19a rigidly attached to the side bar 16 by a screw or bolt 20a. The rollers 18, 18a, respectively are contained in tracks 22, 22a which, see FIG- URE 2, are channel-shaped with the bottoms of the channel disposed vertically and the rollers riding on the lower arcuate flanges 23, 23a thereof. Each of the tracks 22, 22a are respectively secured to a rail 25, 26 by screws 28.

By way of example, the panel frame units 10, 12 are shown mounted on horizontal angle bars 30, 32. It is to be understood that the panel frame units 10, 12 lie in parallel vertical planes adjacent each other, see FIG- URE 3, such that unit 12 may be moved behind unit 10, or unit 10 may be moved in front of unit 12. The pair of frame units may be mounted within a display room adjacent to a wall. Thus, the upper angle bar 30 of the inner panel unit 12 may have its horizontal ange 33 positioned on a ceiling (not shown) while the vertical flange 34 may be placed against a wall (not shown), both flanges `being secured to the ceiling and wall by screws or bolts 35. Similarly, the lower angle bar 32 may have its horizontal flange 33a secured to a floor (not shown) while the vertical ange 348L is secured to the same wall (not shown). The upper rail 25 is formed to provide a ange 36 and shoulder 37 for assembly with the vertical iiange 34 of angle bar 30, the lower edge of which engages the shoulder 37 which the rail ange 36 overlaps, the angle bar ange 34, the rail 25, being secured to the angle bar 30 by screws or bolts 38, the arrangement being such that the rear face of the rail 25 and the rear face of the angle bar flange 34, lie in the same vertical plane so as to lie fiat against a wall surface. If so mountedthe headed bolts 38 should be replaced with counter-sunk bolts as is apparent, or by screws such as 38a. The supporting angle bars 30, 32 of the panel unit 10 are secured in opposed vertical relation respectively to the ceiling and yiioor in juxtaposed parallel relation to the angle bars 30, 32 of the panel unit 12.

It is to be understood that the above described placement and attachment of the angle bars 30, 32 to ceiling, floor and Wall is by way of example only, as the angle bars 30, 32, of both panel units 10, 12 may be secured, respectively, to a ceiling and floor remote from a wall, or to any suitable vertically spaced supports associated with a building.

Each frame unit 10, 12 is shown as carrying by way of example a plywood panel 40 for display purposes, the panels 40 being suitably secured to the rectangular frames 10, 12 by screws 41 and brackets 42. It is to be understood that the frame units 10, 12 may carry other items for display purposes such as carpets, posters, fabrics, etc.

FIGURE 4 illustrates in end view a track arrangement for two pairs of adjacent panel units. Thus, tracks 45, 46 for one pair of panel frame units 10, 12 are suspended by hangers 47 from a ceiling or other horizontal support 48; and adjacent to the first pair of tracks are tracks 49, 50 for the other pair of panel units similarly suspended from the support 48 by hangers 47. In the arrangement shown, the upper rollers 18 of the panel frame units may be the sole support for the same in their associated tracks 45, 46 or 49, 50. However, if desired and the panel frame units are of the requisite length, tracks may be provided attached to the floor or other horizontal support for the lower rollers 18a.

Where a board or plywood panel is warped, the panel unit may be provided with a brace element 54 which is appropriately secured at one end to the panel of the frame unit and extending in the direction that the panel is warped with the edge 55 lying against the panel. The other end of the brace element on the edge 56 remote from the panel surface is provided with rack teeth 57 and an elongated slot 58. Meshing with the rack 57 is a pinion 59 suitably supported by the panel frame unit which is rotated by means of a crank (not shown). A supporting rod 60 extends through slot 58 and is appropriately xed to the panel frame unit. Thus by a rotation of the pinion 59, the brace element 59 may be moved in one direction or the other to straighten the warped panel.

In order to provide additional support for a panel frame unit 62 to which may be attached a particularly heavy object such as a carpet or other member 64 to be displayed, the upper horizontal side bar a, see FIGURE 6, of the panel frame unit may carry two vertically spaced rows of rollers 18 and 18", which are respectively accommodated in vertically spaced tracks 23, 23h mounted on rail 25a. This dual arrangement of rollers and tracks will also operate to prevent lateral swaying of the panel frame unit 62.

A panel frame unit may also support a pair of at panels (which may be any desired display object) that are ilat and rigid for swinging movement about a horizontal axis. Thus, see FIGURE 7, a panel frame unit 70 similar to panel frame unit 10 is provided respectively on the upper and lower horizontal sides thereof, 15b and 16a, each with a hinge 71 and 72 at lthe opposed edges thereof. A panel 74 is secured at its upper horizontal edge portion to hinge 71. Similarly a panel 75 is secured at its lower horizontal edge to hinge 72. The panels 74, 75 when in vertical position have their free horizontal edges adjacent to each other, as shown, and may, if desired, be held locked to each other in any suitable manner (not shown). The panels 74, 75 may both swing outwardly in the direction of the arrows, thus making accessible the other side of the panels for any desired purpose and for another purpose to be hereinafter described.

In FIGURE 8, the panel frame unit 80 is provided at corresponding ends of the horizontal sides 15c and 16h with vertically aligned vertical hinge parts 81, 82. Corresponding hinge parts 83, 84 are mounted in vertical alignment at the upper and lower ends of a panel 85 adjacent a Vertical side edge of the panel. Vertical hinge pins 87 (which may be removable) interconnect the upper hinge parts 81, 83 and the lower hinge parts 84, 82 such that the panel 85 may swing outwardly in either direction as indicated by the arrows. Obviously two panels may be employed in the panel frame unit 80 so as to have their free vertical ends adjacent to each other when closed in a manner similar to that shown in FIGURE 7, the panels` being locked together by any suitable means (not shown).

FIGURE 9 shows schematically an arrangement of panel frame units arranged such as to have a forward panel unit having a pair of panels 85, 86 each swingable about a vertical hinge axis, an intermediate panel unit 70 having a pair of panels 74, 75 each swingable about a horizontal axis and a rear panel unit 88 carrying a single fixed panel 89 similar to panel unit 10 carrying panel 40. The design and dimensions of the panel units and panels should be such that with the panel units 80, 70 and 88 mounted on adjacent tracks and with the panels of panel units 80 and 70 open to the dotted line position shown, panels 85, 86 of panel unit 80 will tit between panels 74, 75 of panel unit 70 as shown in FIGURE l0, while panel 89 of panel unit 88 will form a complete back wall for the rectangular box-like enclosure thus formed -to provide a readily constructed model room for display purposes; the panels being held in locked assembled relation by any suitable means (not shown).

In FIGURE l1, there is shown a modified form of roller and track construction that will permit ready assembly, removal and replacement of the rollers. The track 90 is provided on its channel bottom or wall 91 with one or more enlarged openings 92 which is to register with an axially aligned opening 93 provided in the supporting rail 94. Each roller 95 is provided with a cylindrical ange hub 96 having an end wall 97 arranged to lie Hush with one side of the roller which the flange 98 at the open end of the hub engages the other side of the roller. The hub bottom 97 has an axial opening 100 for an axle 102 having a reduced diameter threaded extension 103. Horizontal side 105 (upper or lower) of the panel frame unit is provided with a horizontal row of threaded openings 106. Thus each roller 95 is secured to the horizontal side 105 by the axle 102 having its threaded extension engageable within a threaded opening 106. The cylindrical hub 96 will be in axial registry with the openings 91, 93 respectively of the track 90 and rail 94. By this construction, the rollers 95 may rst be separately placed in the track 90, and with the horizontal rail 105 of the panel unit brought into proper position each roller 95 may be secured thereto by insertion of axle` 102 through openings 93, 91 and 100 with threaded extension 103 entering threaded opening 106.

While certain novel features of my invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. A display panel structure comprising:

(a) a rectangular vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal sides and vertical sides rigidly connected together to form a panel frame unit;

(b) means on said panel frame unit sides -f-or supporting a fiat object to be displayed;

(c) a plurality of horizontally spaced rollers mounted on at least the upper horizontal side of said panel frame unit;

(d) a tnack element supporting said rollers for movement thereon;

(e) a rail mounting said track element;

(f) hanger means securing said rail to a supporting surface;

(g) said track element and associated rollers lying wholly to one side of said panel frame unit and being wholly concealed by lche horizontal side of said panel lunit carrying said rollers;

(h) a plurality of horizontally spaced rollers mounted on the lower horizontal side of said panel unit;

(i) a second track element supporting said lower rollers for movement thereon;

(j) :a rail mounting said second track element;

(k) hanger means securing said second track element to a supporting surface;

(l) said second track element and associ-ated lower rollers lying co-planar with said first mentioned track element and rollers, and being wholly concealed by the lower horizontal side' of said panel unit carrying v said lower rollers; v l j (m) said hanger means comprises an angle bar having a horizontal leg for attachment to one supporting surface and a vertic-al leg for attachment to a second supporting surface normal to said rst mentioned supporting surface;

(n) each said rail being secured to an associated angle bar in overlapping relation tothe vertical leg thereof Iand having an inside face thereof lying flush with the side of said vertical leg engaging said second supporting surface;

(o) each said track element being of channel formation with the channel bottom arranged vertical in abutting relation to an outside face of its associated nail; and

(p) the rollers of each horizontal row having rolling engagement with a lower flange of an associated channel track element.

2. A display panel structure comprising:

(a) a rectangular Vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal sides and vertical sides rigidly connected together to form a panel frame unit;

(b) means on said panel frame unit sides for supporting a flat object to be displayed;

(c) la plurality of horizontally spaced rollers mounted on at least the upper horizontal side of said panel -frame unit;

(d) a track element supporting said rollers for movement thereon;

(e) a rail mounting said track element;

(f) hanger means securing said rail to a supporting surace;

(g) said track element and associated rollers lying wholly to one side of said panel frame unit and being wholly concealed by the horizontal side of said panel unit carrying said rollers;

(h) -a cylindrical sleeve having an axial opening at one end constituting the hub of each roller;

(i) a ange at the opposite end of said sleeve engageable with a face of said roller;

(j) there being a horizontal row of spaced threaded openings in said horizontal side of said panel unit;

(k) said track element being of channel formation with the channel bottom arranged vertical in abutting relation to said rail;

(l) the rollers having rolling engagement on a lower ange of said channel track element;

(m) there being axially aligned openings respectively in said channel bottom and said rail;

(n) a shaft having a threaded extension; and

(o) there being an opening in the bottom of said cylindrioal hub, whereby with said rollers initially placed in said channel track element, each said roller is secu-red to said horizontal panel unit side juxtaposed thereto by insertion of a shaft for said roller through the openings in said rail, channel bottom and hub bottom of the roller into threaded engagement with a selected threaded opening.

3. A display panel structure comprising:

(a) a rectangular vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal sides and vertical sides rigidly connected together to form a panel frame unit;

(-b) means on said panel frame unit sides for supporting a flat object to be displayed;

(c) a plurality of horizontally spaced rollers mounted on at least the upper horizontal side of said panel -frame unit;

(d) a track element supporting said rollers for movement thereon;

(e) a rail mounting said track element;

(f) hanger means securing said rail to a supporting surface; and (g) said track element and associated rollers lying wholly to one side of said panel frame unit and being wholly concealed by the horizontal side of said panel unit carrying said rollers;

wherein said object to be displayed is a flat board element, and including:

(h) a brace element secured at one end to said board element;

(i) there being a slot at the other end of said brace element;

(j) a rod extending through said slot and secured to said panel frame unit; and

(k) means for manually exerting a thrust lengthwise of said vbrace element in either direction to straighten said board element in the event it is warped.

4. A display panel structure comprising:

(a) a rectangular vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal sides and vertical sides rigidly connected together to form a panel frame unit;

(b) means on said panel frame unit sides for supporting a llat object to be displayed;

(c) a plurality of horizontally spaced rollers mounted on -at least the upper horizontal side of said panel fnamev unit;

(d) a track element supporting said rollers for movement thereon;

(e) a rail mounting said track element;

(f) hanger means securing said rail to la supporting surface; and

(g) said track element and associated rollers lying wholly to one side of said panel `frame unit and being wholly concealed by the horizontal side of said panel unit carrying said rollers;

(h) said means on said panel Ifname unit sides comprises at panel means hingedly connected to said panel frame unit for outward swinging movement relative thereto.

5. A display panel structure comprising:

(a) a rectangular Vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal sides and vertical sides rigidly connected together to `form a panel frame unit;

(b) means on said panel frame unit sides for supporting a flat object to be displayed;

(c) a plurality of horizontally spaced rollers mounted on at least the upper horizontal side of said panel frame unit;

(d) a track element supporting said rollers for movement thereon;

(e) a rail mounting said track element;

(f) hanger means securing said rail to a supporting surface; and

(g) said track element and associated rollers lying wholly to one side of said panel frame unit and being wholly concealed by the horizontal side of said panel unit carrying said rollers;

(h) said means on said panel frame unit sides comprises a pair of upper and lower flat panels;

(i) hinge means hingedly connecting the upper flat panel to the upper horizontal frame side;

(j) hinge means hingedly connecting the lower flat panel to the lower horizontal frame side;

(k) both said at panels when lying co-planar having their free horizontal edges in adjacent relation, Iwhereby both said at panels may lbe swung outwardly of the frame to lie in opposed parallel planes normal to the vertical plane of said panel frame unit.

v6. A display panel structure comprising:

(a) a rectangular vertical frame having upper and lower horizontal sides and vertical sides rigidly connected together to form a panel -frame unit;

(b) means on said panel frame unit sides for supporting a flat object to be displayed;

(e) a plurality of horizontally spaced rollers mounted on at least the upper horizontal side of said panel frame unit;

(d) a track element supporting said rollers for movement thereon;

(e) a rail mounting said track element;

(f) hanger means securing said rail to -a supporting surface; and

(g) said track element and associated rollers lying wholly to one side of said panel frame unit and being wholly concealed by the horizontal side of said panel unit carrying said rollers;

(h) said means on said panel .iframe -unit sides comprises at least one single at panel; and

(i) hinge means connecting one side of said panel to said upper and lower horizontal sides adjacent one References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,777,604 10/ 1930 Cruickshank 16-94 1,956,372 4/1934 Clark 160-116 2,791,006 5/ 1957 Eiohler 16--94 2,844,849 7/1958 Kelly 49-411 FOREIGN PATENTS 496,072 11/ 1938 Great Britain.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Prmwry Examiner.

WILLIAM D. LOULAN, Assistant Examiner. 

4. A DISPLAY PANEL STRUCTURE COMPRISING: (A) A RECTANGULAR VERTICAL FRAME HAVING UPPER AND LOWER HORIZONTAL SIDES AND VERTICAL SIDES RIGIDLY CONNECTED TOGETHER TO FORM A PANEL FRAME UNIT; (B) MEANS ON SAID PANEL FRAME UNIT SIDES FOR SUPPORTING A FLAT OBJECT TO BE DISPLAYED; (C) A PLURALITY OF HORIZONTALLY SPACED ROLLERS MOUNTED ON AT LEAST THE UPPER HORIZONTAL SIDE OF SAID PANEL FRAME UNIT; (D) A TRACK ELEMENT SUPPORTING SAID ROLLERS FOR MOVEMENT THEREON; (E) A RAIL MOUNTING SAID TRACK ELEMENT; (F) HANGER MEANS SECURING SAID RAIL TO A SUPPORTING SURFACE; AND (G) SAID TRACK ELEMENT AND ASSOCIATED ROLLERS LYING WHOLLY TO ONE SIDE OF SAID PANEL FRAME UNIT AND BEING WHOLLY CONNECTED BY THE HORIZONTAL SIDE OF SAID PANEL UNIT CARRYING SAID ROLLERS; (H) SAID MEANS ON SAID PANEL FRAME UNIT SIDES COMPRISES FLAT PANEL MEANS HINGEDLY CONNECTED TO SAID PANEL FRAME UNIT FOR OUTWARD SWINGING MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO. 